The United States will close its visa processing operations in Botswana from 1 August 2026, with all applications for nationals and residents to be handled through neighbouring South Africa.
The announcement was made by the Government of Botswana on Wednesday, 16 July.
In a press release, the Ministry of International Relations said that from 1 August, routine non-immigrant and all immigrant visa services for Botswana nationals and residents will be handled by the US Consulate General in Johannesburg.
The ministry said visa applications will continue to start online, with subsequent processing done at the regional centre in Johannesburg.
Details on the new arrangement, including appointment scheduling and visa fee payments, are available on the official US Department of State website, travel.state.gov.
The Government of Botswana said it notes with concern the increasingly stringent visa regime of the United States, which has made travel more difficult for Batswana compared to previous years.
“We continue to engage the Government of the United States of America on these matters, including the visa bond programme introduced in August 2025,” the ministry said.
The statement also acknowledged that defaults on visa conditions and rising numbers of asylum claims by Batswana in the United States have contributed to the developments.
“Such trends affect the ease with which our citizens can enjoy hassle-free travel,” the ministry said.
The government has urged citizens to exercise caution, to respect the laws of host countries, and to uphold the values of integrity and responsibility.
“By doing so, Batswana will strengthen trust abroad and preserve the privilege of travelling and visiting the United States of America and other nations without undue scrutiny or difficulty,” the statement said.
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